Bill Would Extend Health Coverage For Widows Of State Employees Who Die At Work

It was difficult enough when Velma Donahue lost her husband, Colorado State Trooper Cody Donahue in 2016, but to make matters worse, when her daughter got sick a few days later, Donahue was informed that they no longer had health insurance.

As The Denver Post reports, the confusion stemmed from a policy that ends family benefits, like health and dental insurance, at the end of the calendar month in which a state employee dies while at work. Donahue died on Nov. 25, 2016, when a truck struck him as he responded to a crash.

Donahue’s experience has prompted Colorado lawmakers to propose a bill that would allow families of fallen workers to keep their loved one’s benefits for a year.

The legislation only applies to state workers, not to employees of local governments and counties.

Colorado schools will soon get funding to voluntarily test for lead in their drinking water.

As The Denver Post reports, House Bill 1306 received bipartisan backing and plenty of support from school and health officials. Lead in drinking water can lead to long-term health problems in children.